The most stable start for beginners with amazing design
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board offers a very stable start for beginners due do the higher width (32″) and the thickness of 6″. Not so big it takes away all the speed, but good enough to keep you stable on your board. So the perfect board for beginners.
Next to the board the package includes a coiled leash, double action pump, backpack and a repair kit. It must be said that the design of the MOAI boards is amazing and it has been made by an established designer. The board even says so on the valve: designed in Holland.
For a price of β¬499 (currently about $605) the MOAI 10’6″ offers a very decent and great looking Stand Up Paddle Board that is a great and stable start for everyone that wants to start Paddle Boarding. Looking for a bit more speed? Check out the MOAI 11′.
Pro’s
- Great and stable board for beginners
- Amazing design with the tribal print
- Possibility to install a kayak seat
- Nice and big grip pad that will not let you fall off the board
- All accessories included (except for the kayak seat)
Cons
- No kickpad
- Supplied paddle is aluminium
- Only one carrying handle
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board is most suitable for:
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board is a great quality board that comes in a complete package. This is the smaller and wider version in the MOAI Paddle Board series that also contains the MOAI 11′ Paddle Board and the MOAI 12’6″ Paddle Board. (And soon the MOAI 9’5″ and MOAI 12’4″ will be added to the collection too!)
This board is all-around so it is suitable for basically every activity you are looking for on a Stand Up Paddle board. The board lists a maximum weight of 287 lbs / 130 kg, with my weight of 80 kg it did not bend at all and was a very stiff board.
For paddling together it is mostly not recommended, unless you are two really light persons. MOAI Paddle Boards is soon bringing out the MOAI 12’4″ Paddle Board which is suited for this exact purpose.
The board is very stable and has a size of 10’6″ long and 32″ wide. This is why the board is very suitable for beginners, it is less likely that you will fall off of your board. The thickness of 6″ supports this and makes sure the board does not bend in the middle.
Because of the size and the rounded nose of the board this will not break any speed records, but you can paddle around leisurely on a decent pace. If you are looking for more speed check out the previously mentioned MOAI 11′ Paddle Board or the MOAI 12’6″ Paddle Board.
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board offers good value for money and comes in a complete package with all accessories you need to start paddle boarding right away.
What I like most about MOAI are the beautiful design and that they donate part of their profits to Waves For Change, which helps change lives in Africa and creates a better future for children there. A noble cause and a great gesture to help out instead of just making profit.
If you are a beginner and looking for an inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board to get started on, the MOAI 10’6″ offers a great and complete package with high quality and a great design.
Length
Width
Thickness
Weight
Max Rider Weight
Max Air Pressure
Board type
Skill
Primary use
All Round / Relaxing / Yoga / Pets
Speed on the water
The board is designed for stability and an all-around use. So the speed is not the highest, but still slim enough to cruise around on.
Transport
The board has a weight of 24.3 LBS / 11 kg and is not hard to carry in the supplied backpack that has a convenient front lock.
Stability
The 32″ width makes the board more stable than an average 30″ width board, which is good for beginners to start on. The 6″ thickness and the sturdy material offer even more stability and support.
My own experience
When I got the package I could not wait to unpack it all, inflate the board and to just get out on the water on this nice sunny day. The accessories all seem of good quality, although going back to an aluminium paddle down from all the fiberglass and carbon paddles I have been testing lately was not something to look forward to.
Below you can see a quick movie of me inflating the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board with all of my mighty strength.
When unpacking the board there was a lot of stuff to find. I like the matching tribal design that is on the bottom of the board, the bag, the leash and on the paddle. This is one of the nicest paddle board designs on the market, you can really see they put a lot of effort into this. Then again, design is often a matter of taste isn’t it.
After the unpacking I started inflating the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board as you have seen in the video above. It took me 4 minutes and 25 seconds to fully inflate the board up to 15 PSI, which is a good time. If you take a slower pace it would take you about 6 minutes.
Do you think you could do this even faster than me? I’m very much looking forward to your video π
The MOAI 10’6″ paddle board weighs 18.7 lbs / 8.5 kg which makes it very light and easy to carry to the water. When I started paddling I felt very safe and secure, as if I could not fall in the water at all. The board is not wobbly at all and I could recommend this to any beginner in the sport.
On this day I took all the MOAI boards out to the water to try them out. So the MOAI 10’6″, the MOAI 11′ and the MOAI 12’6″.
Product image | |||
---|---|---|---|
Product | Goosehill Paddle Board Sailor 10’6 Review | MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board Review | Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ Review |
Build | Inflatable | Inflatable | Inflatable |
Skill | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
Price | Price unknown | €399.00 | Price unknown |
Score | 9.8 | 9 | 10 |
All-round | |||
Touring | |||
Surfing | |||
Yoga |
The aluminium paddle is a bit heavier than the previous paddles I have tested, so I paddled a bit slower to compensate this. What I do like about the paddle are the great design and the clear length indicator on the shaft of the paddle.
The bungee cord on the front of the board offers enough space to take along all my necessary gear and some water and snacks (again bananas and nuts, it is my standard SUP food). Of course I did put my things in a dry bag to make sure they do not get wet or slip off into the water.
The big grip deck feels very nice and comfortable on my feet. The diamond grip deck is often used on boards and it is clear why. I like the option to install a kayak seat on the board, but since I got so spoiled lately I’m a bit disappointed it wasn’t included in the package. Which makes no sense of course, as this is not needed to start paddle boarding at all.
As said I paddled a bit slower because of the heavier paddle, but the board was very stable and easy to steer. With the 3 fins it was also not hard to stay on a straight line if I wanted to, so everything that is needed for Stand Up Paddling is right there.
The board also seems well equipped for paddling sitting down, but you’d need the extra 2-in-1 paddle and the kayak seat, which would cost you an additional β¬95. So if you’d want to do that with your board it would probably be better to get a Bluefin Cruise than includes these accessories right away and will be cheaper all together.
This is a really nice paddle board for beginners and if you like the design and the setup you can surely have some fun on this board. The quality is good and I do not believe the board would break soon. There is a 1-year warranty on the board, which is pretty standard. Do not get too used by those 5-year warranties that are handed out by Red Paddle and Bluefin!
If you really like the board but are looking for a bit faster model or you would like to go for longer tours, check out the MOAI 11′ Paddle Board or the MOAI 12’6″ Paddle Board.
Important features
Setup
- Center Handle β The board has a center handle to easily carry the board to the waterside once inflated.
- D-rings & cargo net β The board has several d-rings. At the front you will find a cargo net created from a leash cord with 4x D-rings. Ideal if you want to bring additional gear such as a dry bag. At the d-ring at the bottom end of the board you can attach a leash for surfing. In the middle there are 4 additional D-rings for attaching the optional kayak seat (not included).
- Comfortable pad β The board has as a comfortable foot cushioning foam pad with diamond shapes for extra grip to stand on.
- Detachable fin β The board has a system of 3 fins, of which the larger center fin is easily detachable from the board.
Fins
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board comes with three fins at the bottom for extra stability, of which the big middle fin is removable for easy storage.
Material
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle board has the very sturdy and stable drop-stitch material but with a double PVC layer. The tens of thousands of polyester threads make it a very sturdy and solid board that is absolutely hard.
Inflate / deflate
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board is inflated in nearly 4.5 minutes with the included double action pump
Warranty
1 year warranty on production failures
Design
Very stylish and modern design with beautiful MOAI design made by an established designer: designed in Holland!
In the package
Paddle
The board includes the MOAI standard paddle. This paddle is made out of high-quality aluminum and is adjustable in length. The height can be set with the length indicator that is on the paddle.
This paddle exists out of 3 pieces for easy transport and is decorated with the MOAI tribal print on the blade. I love the matching design of the blade, don’t you?
Do you want to get a fiberglass or carbon paddle instead? Read my guide for the Best SUP paddles for 2022
Pump
MOAI has a double action pump included with the package and it seems to work very well. When I tried this out it only took me 4 minutes and 25 seconds to inflate the board to the desired pressure of 15 PSI. On a lower pace this should take you about 6 minutes in total.
Want to know which SUP Pump is best? Read my article about the Best SUP Pumps for 2022
Leash
The MOAI safety leash is included with the board. This is a coiled leash, so it only extends when you actually fall in the water. You can lock it around your ankle with velcro and it has a sturdy construction with aluminum pins. The band has a nice thick padding so it feels comfortable around your ankle and will not irritate your skin.
Backpack
The MOAI backpack is very comfortable and has a great design that matches with the board. It has a handy small zipper pocket in the front. This backpack has wheels to easily roll it over steady surfaces. It has handles on the top and on the side for carrying, but mostly you will use the carrying straps with convenient front lock.
Optional accessories (not included)
Restube classic
Because extra safety measures never hurt anyone!
MOAI Kayak Seat
In case you want to sit down while paddling around.
Difference between an Inflatable board and a Hard board
Advantages Inflatable board
- Easy to take on holiday (even on the plane)
- Easy to store in the winter days
- Much cheaper
- Technology has improved greatly over the past 10 years. For this reason, these boards are now almost hard to distinguish from hard boards
Advantages Hardboard
- More speed, which is important if you are a professional
- Easier to make sharp turns on the water because the board is thinner
- No inflation needed, you can get on the water right away
Other reviews of the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board online
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board is a relatively new paddle board online, so there are not that many reviews to be found yet on the internet.
An overview of the reviews I have found below:
Supboard-99.co.uk: Rating 8.8/10. “All in all MOAI is a great board for (young) adults who want to tour with the paddle board. You can also relax on the water, do yoga or go kayaking with this all-rounder. In our eyes a true all-rounder that we can recommend to anyone!”
Abonnietravelersinsideguide.com: “I have been channeling my inner Moana this summer on MOAIβs 10β6 board and couldnβt recommend it enough to anyone looking to purchase a paddle board. Itβs a great quality board with amazing stability and versatility, the perfect all round board for beginners. I often take out my friends and family who are new to paddle boarding and they all agree that MOAIβs board was the easiest to balance and maneuver on, compared to other brands. The board is incredibly robust on the water and its wide body allows for comfortable balance and posture.”
Amazon.co.uk: Rating 4.3/5. “The board arrived very quickly and is now in use for two weeks on a lake. It inflated and repacked very well (fits easily into the backpack and the zipper is also okay). It carries two persons with a total weight of 155 kg without us getting wet feet.” – Based on 5 customer reviews as on 14th of May 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board
What is the size of the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
Length: 10′,6″ Width: 32″, Thickness: 6″
What is the maximum carrying capacity of the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
287 lbs / 130 kg
What is included when purchasing the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
MOAI Premium Backpack, height adjustable aluminium paddle, MOAI coiled leash, Double Action Hand Pump, Repair kit
What is the weight of the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
18.7 lbs / 8.5 kg
How many fins does the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board have?
3 fins, 2 small fins and one big removable fin
How many D-rings does the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board have?
9 D-rings. Bungee cords on front, one for attaching your leash, 4 for optional kayak-seat.
How long is the warranty on the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
The warranty on this board is 1 year
Does the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board have an action-camera mount?
No, it does not
How many handles does the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board have?
It has one handle in the middle of the board
What pressure can the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board be inflated to?
It can be inflated up to 15 PSI
How long does it take to inflate the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
About 4.5 minutes with the supplied double action pump
Conclusion – Should I buy the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board?
The MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board is a very stable and high quality paddle board that comes in a complete package to start going out paddling. The exquisite design and the fact that part of the profits go to charity make this a board I am surely willing to buy.
As for the package itself I would have wished for a better paddle than an aluminium one and a kickpad applied, but I understand that this is not the target group for a kickpad and the board is aimed at relaxation. As the board costs under β¬500 I can understand they included an aluminium paddle instead, which is still good in use and beginners will not know the difference.
As you have seen in this article the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board is a very comfortable board for beginners that want to start paddle boarding and it offers a complete and good package of accessories. A very stiff and stable board, a height adjustable paddle, double action hand pump, backpack, coiled leash, repair kit, 9 D-rings, a big grip deck and 3 fins (of which the big one is removable).
So it is a high quality board in a complete package for under β¬500, of course I could not tell you that this is a bad deal. If you are on the lookout for a sturdy beginners board with an amazing design with all necessary stuff included this is surely a good option.
All in all it offers good value for money and you get a durable board that you can enjoy for the next couple of years. It is surely worth considering and taking into the equation when you are a beginner looking for an inflatable paddle board to get started on.
What do you think about the MOAI 10’6″ Paddle Board? Do you like the outspoken design or do you prefer a more conventional board without too many images on it?
Which board do you think has the best design and what do you like about it so much? I know that the design is mostly a matter of personal preference so I’m curious to see what your preferences are!
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